With the resurgence in demand within central Portugal for properties from buyers all over Europe, there has been an increase in unlicensed estate agents jumping on the bandwagon. This license is granted by the State governing body, INCI, and requires a qualification on the part of the Estate Agent before they are issued with their AMI No. It serves as a guarantee that individual Estate Agents must use certain forms of approved documentation to implement their functions in the profession.

The Licensed Estate Agent is also bonded by INCI in the form of an Insurance Cover that enables claims to be made against them in the case of any proven dispute. Once you have made a decision to purchase a property in Central Portugal, it is advisable to find a lawyer (Advogado) or solicitor (solicitadora) who you wish to deal with your purchase, of which there are many who speak English.

 It is also essential that a fiscal number (numero de identificação fiscal/NIF) is obtained, this Cartão de Contribuinte is available from the local tax office (finanças). It is also necessary to have your Fiscal number to open a bank account in Portugal, for which you will also copies of your birth certificate and passport. Having decided on your purchase and put the above into place, it is then that all the official paperwork starts.

This is however something not to be daunted by and all of us here at Properties in Perfect Portugal will endeavour to make this process as straight-forward as possible. The following pages give you an outline of the due process necessary to complete all paperwork required under Portuguese law.

Funding Planning and surveys Promissory Contract The Escritura Land registry Taxes and costs

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